The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-14

this whole matter have been victim of NAL
ice. Jealousy and designing duplicity of my col
leagues, especially of Mr.. Manchester. The
issue is entirely between them and myself. and
desire that issue fully tried with confidence
upon my part that the same must result in my
entire yiudication. I have the honor to be, very
respectfully, T. F. RYAN"
'Reports that should have been sent in by the
head agent said Mr.. Ryan, were never sent,
and have the copies of them. The following
letter was sent to the Secretary of the Treasury
from Indianapolis on noticing in the publicp prints
that the seizure Of vessels in Behring sea last
summer mad been declared Illegal by the Secre
tary of State and the offenders released for the
fact that they were not within three miles of land
when committing the depredations. This let
ter as was stated in the newspapers,
was laid before a meeting of the Cabinet. This
would show that have been punished for my
oficousness in showing where the interests of
the United States have been made to suffer- and
that while it takes many friends to get one into
the service two lying and slanderous
tongues can get man out with ease and rapid
ity:
"INpIANAPoLIs March 3, 1887.
lion. c. s. Fairchild. Secretary of the Treasury
Dear Sir-The government having decided,
as learn through public press that the seizure
OF vessels caught in the act of killing seals in
the vicinity Of seal islands, at distance of over
three miles from shore to be illegal, one or
the government officers to seal islands feel 1t
to be my duty to inform you that, if the govern
ment has been made to understand that by pro-
tecting seal islands to distance of three miles
from shore Will be sufficient protection. or any
real protection at all to seal life. will, in my
judgment, prove to be great mistake
While the food of the seal fish may be in
abundance throughout Benrng sea- the main
feeding gro unGs of the seal, during the summer
stay upon the islands. and to which the cows
are constantly going and coming are to be found
from forty to seventy miles south or St George
island. It's but reasonable to suppose that fish
would be little scarce in the near vicinity OF
the home of million or moro seals.
The number Of seals taken by marauders from
seal islands or in the waters near by are very
few in comparison to the great numbers taken in
the fifty or sixty miles south of the islands Old
seal hunters seldom bother the islands, and from
the information to be had. 95 per cent of seals
taken by seahunters in Behring sea taken
at distance of from forty to seventy five miles
south of St. George island, and 90 per cent of
those taken are COWS, the producers.
The male seattle bachelor, as they are called
(the class taken by the Alaska Commercial
Company for their skins)-are lazy and stick
close to the islands during their summer stay,
and but for heavy rains or a hot sun would sell
dom leave the island at all, while the cows are
constantly On the 60 to the feeding grounds,
leaving their young to the watchful care of the
old bull seal. While the female seals cows)
are protected by law from being killed, within
the past seventeen years the lessees have taken
about ], 700 600 male seals. and yet the increase
of female seals upon the breeding grounds is
not very perceptible, showing. think, that they
have been taken l have indicated by being
more at the mercy of the hunters than the male
seal
1.-The number of seal hunters hunting in
Behring sea lin the vicinity of Seal islandsl in
past years have been numerous enough. but few
in comparison to the number that will swarm
around seal islands this coming season, if there
is no law to prevent them. For what has been
done heretofore in a limited way and by stealth
will now be done openly and extensively. to the
extent of determination within ten, or at the
furthest, twenty years.
Very respectfully
IS F. RYAN,